UNFIT Royal (Short Story)

18(27)

*Unedited*

*three weeks later*

The journey back took only 3 days since the waters were significantly calmer than the way here. When we fit land, Daniel and I had to part our separate ways.

He needed to see his mother and I have kingdom to run.

I left my father in charge while I was away so I know I left the kingdom in good hands.

The first day back I could see that the royal court had warmed up to me.

Lady Mera told me that my father really whipped the men of the court into shape while I was gone.

I guess someone told him how the men of the court were really treating me. I had told him somethings, however I tried not to indulge too much information because I don't need my father instilling more fear in my people than I seeing as he is no longer acting ruler.

My mind wandered to Daniel.

I received word that his mother is alive however he was still crowned king as he arrived by order of his mother.

She was not as ill as the letter insisted she was. She wanted him home, he stayed away longer than he was supposed to and she wanted him home.

I can not find any real fault with that.

However, he was pressing our impending nuptials even though I was beginning to question if this was the correct decision.

I had only known Daniel for a span of two and a half months. How could I possibly be sure that he was the man I am in love with let alone be in love with for the rest of my life?

Jason had just walked into my office rather abruptly, flinging himself onto the couch. He had a flair for being over dramatic at times.

"Jason, why?" I asked in an amused tone.

"I need fun. I forgot how boring life inside a castle can get." He said looking up at the ceiling.

"Try being stuck here your entire life. Maya's visit was the first time, I had done anything remotely fun. It was all so different from the architecture to the clothing."

"Ah, yes. I forget you are new to the ways of others. Speaking of which, did you not bring the dress Maya's seamstress made for you? I have seen Athena wear her's twice since we have been back. Your parents hate it, but your sisters adore it." He chuckled.

"Actually, mine was ripped." I felt the heat flow all over my body as memories flooded my mind from that night.

One thing for sure I knew is that I missed how he touched me, his lips on mine, but overall I just missed him.

I touched my lips and gathered my composure, as surely Jason was staring at me.

He smiled all knowingly, "I won't even ask how it was ripped. I'm not all too sure I would like to know either." He laughed, readjusting himself on the couch.

"It doesn't matter, Maya will send more dresses soon. I will be getting new dresses and gift one to each of my sisters. They deserve to have more pieces of the world as well." I walked closer to him, sitting on the opposite couch.

"Have you seen Wynter? She is getting bigger. She is almost 7 months, now." He questioned and I knew where this was leading.

"I have."

"It's rather odd she has stayed this long without returning to be with her husband. Or that he hasn't retrieved her yet. He is king now, he should want to keep his heir and wife closer now." He cautioned his words.

I understood why, I was a force to be reckoned with when it came to my sisters. I did not care who you were, I would and will not tolerate slander for any of them.

"I spoke with her. He cheated on her. He had a bastard child. The child is now four, I believe." I stated absentmindedly, it's Jason he was bound to find out sooner or later.

"What?" He sat up. "If the child is four that means, he cheated the year he proposed to her."

"Yes, you are correct. I told her she can stay as long as she needs. However, I am guessing it's the hormones that keeps her in good spirits well that and my mom."

"Your mother." Jason repeated.

"Yes, they spend a lot of time together now. I am just pleased Wynter has someone to help her right now."

"Yes, it is absolutely ridiculous......"

I tuned Jason out and remembered the morning I found out.

*
It had been a couple days since I had returned and I hadn't seen Wynter. So, after breakfast I made it my personal mission to seek her out.

I looked for almost 30 minutes before I almost gave up, but I walked past the music room and I heard Wynter's distinct singing voice.

Standing on the front lines
Staring at the sun rise over the hills
Waiting for the kill
Sweet anticipation, never conversation
Tears in our eyes from holding too tight
Waiting 'til the demons come
Wait for us to see them run in our direction
Now they're staring at us through the trees
Got us falling to our knees to teach us a lesson
So tell me
Did you ever really love me?
Did you ever really want me?
Now that I see you clearer
I wonder, was I ever really happy?
Didn't get the chance to ask me
Now that I see you clearer
Was it just smoke and mirrors?
Oh, was it just smoke and mirrors?

I had tears in my eyes. I couldn't hold my emotions within any longer as I charged her with a hug.

She immediately started sobbing uncontrollably. I knew there was something immensely wrong from the raw emotion and power in her voice. She felt the song a little too deeply for my liking.

"What happened?" I questioned once she calmed down.

"He cheated on me. He has a child with another woman." She choked back a cry, and I held her closer as if it were possible.

"Our marriage is a lie. He loves her, he loves her. The woman with his child." Pure anguish was the only emotion I could see on her face.

"The worst part is that he writes me everyday," she grabs a letter sitting atop the piano and shoved it into my hands.

I quickly glanced over the letter, he was declaring his love for Wynter and how the interaction with the woman was a mistake.

She snatched the paper back and threw it across the room. "He lies! He still lies! He can't love me. Our marriage is based on a lie." She stifled another cry and genuinely asked me, "Why do I believe his lie?"

I had never seen my sister in such torment. Anger bubbled within my to new levels. I held her hands, looking into her eyes. "Stay as long as you like, I will protect you and he shall not come near you unless you give the okay."

She nodded, "But you have to stop reading his letters. All they are doing is furthering your torment, and it pains me to see you this way."

She didn't even respond, she just began wailing into my shoulder once more. All I could do was watch and hold her as she cried.

————————————————————————————————

Hello,

I tried to update again. I hope y'all liked it. It was something different and that song is Smoke & Mirrors by Demi Lovato. It conveyed the uncertainty of how she felt about her relationship. Did y'all like it?

*SC